Clinton News-Record, 1976-11-04, Page 4s d iIke to take *%*t _
behalf of the
'o hes ' " mi l► to thank the
t+n for the Ala n
courtesies ex
us and the 'I+cLean
family during our tragic loss.
of Potnd lion McLean.
Though we were raised in 2
small town. we all now reside
fn farflung . urban areas and
found ourselves inclined to
forget the personal in-
volvement and friendliness
inherent in communities such
as yours.
should like to render
particular thanks to the
Canadian Legion. Their
beautiful memorial service
touched each of us very
deeply.
Thanks also to all the
thoughtful people who .made
it a point to meet us and
express their condolences.
Lastly. I should mention
that we could not help but
notice the reaction of people ..
as the funeral party was "f
moving to the cemetery. The
fact that people in the streets
stopped and removed their
hats, and drivers pulled to the
side of the road and stopped
while we passed by, attests to
the type of citizen living in
your community.
We now have a much better
understanding why Dot and
Don loved Clinton and its
people so very much.
Yours Sincerely, ,e
Robert (Bob) Forbes
Cocoa Beach, Florida.
wa d cSbut ,it
er-rel+ationS.
fat n paper
ag, We were'- thInking : of the extra
cif -ac. op of sugart but of the spirit of
rsi and scrupulous fairness at a
time when' times were hard - and
especially during the long winter
months.
During the winter season, the spirit
of nerosity is well served by a blood
moOw. A visit next Monday to our
Red Cross blood donor clinic should
have top priority. But who needs
blood? For many of nit, the fact that
winter holidays can -take the biggest
holt on our blood banks is not reason
enough, and few people realize they
can share their health with someone
r � re se!e
are +: I' sl i ly
Ina sIVC ate, .
-100 t+ do
{■1t
many thing
time to give that Italie etre ,for' ood
measure". Share your health , with
someone by attending the -local al Red
Cros's on, Ntonday at CHSS., It takes
little tin* or energy to give blood. It
will be - invaluable to some recipient
who wants to enjoy not just the winter
season but the whole year.
Sharing is part of the 9enerous spirit
of Canadians. it shawl a concern for
others at a time whe n times are hard.
Every adult in good health can afford
to share that health. Drop over bet-
ween 1:30 to 3:339 or 5:30 to 8 p.m. and
bring a friend:
Better yet, bring the gang.
Dear Editor:
From time immernorable,
mankind has observed the
characteristics and habits of
animals and has applied them
in -a figurative or symbolic
sense to persons, peoples and
governments. For example:
"the British lion", "the
.Russian bear', etc.
But did . you know that
under the symbol of a "wild
beast" the Bible book of
Revelations accurately
forecast the United Nations
Organization almost 1,900
years ago? Even the fact that
the U.N. would be preceded
by a similar body, which
proved to be the League of
Nations was correctly
predicted.
This may sound rather far-
fetched. But consider the
evidence. Most of the in-
formation can be found in the
17th chanter of Revelations
As you may know, this book
Uses many symbols to
(continued on page 5)
Thanks for October
An English poet (Browning?), asked a
rhetorical question years ago: "What is so
rare as'a day in June?" . The obvious an-
swer is "Nothing."
Maybe so. A day in June in England on
which it is not raining is a rare thing in-
deed, and something quite fine. The world
is green and soft and effulgent with the
sights and scents of flowers.
But the sentiment hasn't -much meaning
to a Canadian. A day in June usually means
a heat wave and mosquitoes. Soggy ar-
mpits and an irritating whine in .the
bedroom,.. -
Making much more sense to a Canadian
would be: "What is so rare as a day in
October?" I don't know about you, but for
me. there is nothing on God's good earth to
equal a golden October day, when the air is
as clear as the thoughts of a saint, the land
lies fallow, and the wild, free honk of the
goose sends the chills up the spine.
In the West, the poplars shimmer with
their Burd' n of gold coins. In the East, the
Master Painter has got drunk and is
slashing unbelievable colors across the
.landscape.
Mother Nature has delivered the fruit of
her womb, and is still feminine, lying back
and suckling her children, spent but
resting. She has not yet done her tran-
svestite bit and changed into the clothes of
Old Man Winter, quite another kettle of
fish.
On the golf course. the turf is still green
and springy, and it's almost a pleasure to
lose a ball in a heap of fallen leaves.
On the bay, the water is a blue so intense
that it shouts back in mockery to the deep,
calm blue of the sky.
Around the pot -holes and sloughs. there is
the tense thumping of the heart as the
ducks 'head in to land, or take off with a
suddenness, in morning, that makes the
adrenalin pump.
On the rivers, wrapped like Eskimos,
the anglers tease for that last, lurking
rainbow trout that will go ten pounds.
There is thump of leather on leather as
the football heads for a climax. And there is
the headiness of track meets, where the
young push every sinew to jump farther,
run faster.
There is the ritual raking of the leaves,
and the jumping in the leaf -piles by the
little folk. And.�i.f .yegr;tiswn hasn't passed a
stupid by-law against the burning of leaves,
there is the sheer joy of that.
Let me hesitate a moment there. The
burning of the leaves is just as symbolic as
the planting of the first seeds and bulbs in
the spring. It should be a time for neighbors
to be out, chatting -quietly and raking the
flaming bits back onto the pile. A time for
children to stay up late and poke the bonfire
with sticks. It should be a time for in-
cantations. We are cremating our beloved,
with tenderness and regret, but without
sadness. We know they will live again.
Maybe that's what October is all about, It
is a time of dying, when life flares up in all
its splendour, briefly but brightly, before
going quietly and with dignity, to the -grave.
Sometimes all these things come
togeth won a Canadian Thanksgiving ,Day.
What is sorare as a -day in June, indeed!
Give me an October Thanksgiving, with
the yellow sun filtering through the wild
ecstasy of the maples, and the water and.
sky 'so blue it hurts, and I'Il give you a
glimpse of glory.
Come in from golf, or fishing, or hunting,
or just walking. into the incredible smell of
roasting turkey. and you've had a glimpse
of paradise.
Draw me up to a blazing fire of oak logs,
and the bite of a good rye, and the women
making gravy in the kitchen, and the
grandchildren climbing all over me, and a
discussion of those other turkeys, the
Toronto Argonauts, and I wouldn't trade
places with the Shah of Iran, the Queen of
England, or the Pope.
It's then I have my personal
Thanksgiving. It's a long time to be
married to a strange woman, but we're still
together. My grandbabbies are as bright as
butterflies. My daughter has her head
sorted out, and is tough and self-reliant.
And quite beautiful, despite the new
toughness.
There is food in the house. There is oil in
the tank, even though we may be feeding
the furniture into the fire in ten years. My
arthritis is only ten percent worse than last
year.
I have some good friends. I like my work.
My teeth are getting ropy bub my hearing
and sight are excellent. My morals seem to
be in the same old shape, not good. but so-
so, no worse.
I don't have any great aspirations that
are unfulfilled. In fact, I don't have any
great aspirations, which fact considerably
annoys those who think I should.
I'm sorry. This sounds completely
hedonistic. And it is. I've paid my dues in
suffering and frustration. I'd like to sit
back and watch my belly grow (which it
won't). and tell my grandsons tall tales.
and chuckly at the absurdity of the human
race. •
Maybe next week I'll be on the
barricades with Women's Lib or Labour or
the AI13 or food parcels to white
Rhodesians. But this week, I'm just on my
Thankful kick.
The Climes Nerrs•Rleerd 1* published eacb
Ilsurniay at PA. has Se. platen. netaria
eseads, lw.N
It h reglatered as seread ecus mall by the
pelt Nitre ertaler the permit somber alit
The Newirateeirithieligiarsted to tn. the
Hart* Nevzlteterd. tialaileti le 11014 slid
t
00110,101, t=sar: abed l tater. tetst
like* net Usk
Interrupted
Paul Newman and Steve McQueen were about to rescue
me from a burning building the other morning, when we
were interrupted by a strange buzzing sound. As the vision
of Paul and Steve faded, the noise became louder, and I
realized it was coming from my apartment.
I gave my alarm -clock.an angry shove, which is my daily
ritual. but the buzzing continued. By then, I was awake
enough to read the time - 20 after 3. That was a little early
for the alarm.
Then I listened more closely: the racket sounded like a
small buzz saw and seemed to be corning from one of the
other rooms. Slipping out of bed, I followed the mysterious,
relentless buzz. I crept through the shadowy living room
and intothe dark kitchen, stealing quietly until I ran into the
table.
I paused for a moment to become oriented: the sound was
coming from the direction of my desk under the window.
What could it be?
The answer came suddenly. I switched on the light, and
there it was - my battery-operated pencil sharpener. busily
sharpening air.
You see, the sharpener worked well and kept fine points
on all my pencils, until the batteries wore down a couple of
months ago. I replaced the old batteries with new ones, and
then I couldn't stop the. thing. It buzzed continually whether
or not a pencil was fed into it.
The problem was unique: these days we usually contend
with gadgets that won't ,tprk instead of ones that won't quit.
Nevertheless it was irritating.
First, I removed the batteries, thinking I had placed them
upside-down. but when I inserted them again. the sharpener
took off. Then I adjusted the lid and the cutting device, to no
avail. Next I adopted the theory that the batteries would
eventually wear themselves down. An endurance test
developed between the sharpener and my nerves. The
sharpener won.
With some experimentotion, I discovered the buzz
stopped when the box was laid on its side. However, the
loose -fitting, lid opened. spilling the shavings on the floor
and allowing the whittler to slip.
Replacing the sharpener was extremely difficult. The
framee' had to be turned upright, and therefore the post, on
which the sharpener sat. rotated:
I finally won the battle, though, and when the sharpener
was intact, I solved another problem. I leaned the box
against the edge of th64esk at, i 60 degree angle. The lid
didn't budge: the whittler didn'UsTip, and the buzzer didn't
sound. 0 I wanted to sharpen a pencil, I merely sat the
gadget upright : otherwise it remained blissfully quiet.
The other night I must have inadvertently shifted the box.
Why it remained silent until 3:20 a.m. is a mystery.
Feeling somewhat disgruntled, I turned the sharpener on
its side and crawled back into bed. But no matter how hard I
tried, ('couldn't return to the scene of the rescue. Now I'll
never knout whether Paul Newman and Steve McQueen
rescued me, ''
Zot'from the fire! .
10 YEARS AGO
November 10.19$
At a meeting called by Mayor
Don Symons last Thursday
evening to assemble ideas for
Clinton to celebrate the 1967
Centennial year, 58 persons were
present representing 28 different
organizations. The mayor was
unable to attend and Royce
Macauley, ane of Clinton's four -
man Centennial Committee
chaired the meeting.
Among the Centennial ideas
were: a fashion show, sponsored
by the Ladies Auxiliary to Clinton
Public Hospital, depicting
fashions from 1867 up tei the
present mini -skirt era. This
Announced by Mrs. Robert
Homuth, president of the
auxiliary.
Don Kay suggested that
Clinton's exhibit f-om the
International Plowing Match
could be used for future
promotion and possibly be set up
at the old Post Office property.
Antoine Garciaa, president of
Clinton Chamber of Commerce.
was enthusiastic over the town
promotion exhibit and hoped it
could be used for advertising in
-1967. '
The Amateur Radio Club. at
Canadian Forces Base Clinton
has recently been informed that
it placed second in Canada in an
Amateur Radio International
Field Day held last June near
Brucefield.
Sponsored by the American
Radio Relay League. the 'field
"day's purpose was to test
amateur communications which
were operated at a remote site.
CFB Clinton's Amateur Radio
Club participated.in this event.
This is a considerable feat. as
over 1.000 Canadian amateur
radio clubs entered the event.
The club further distinguished
itself by finishing l5th in North
America.
25 YEARS AGO
November 15..1951
Mayor G. W. Nott advanced a
suggestion at Monday evening's
Town Council meeting that the
local Rural Hydro Electric Office
might look after Clinton's lines.
which .he said were In very bad
shape. •
The matter was not considered
at length, His Worship merely
having thrown out the idea.
Questioned, he said the water'
works and sewage system would
likely remain under the local
Public' Utilities Office with the
hydro -electric coming under the
Rural Office.
No action was taken on .the
matter, nor did the Mayor
reest bat any be taken, ,
eron is hoe of the few ridings
in which there is a straight fight
between two candidates in the
Ontario General Election next
Thursday. Ntsrretnber 22.
The two names placed in of-
ficial
fficial nomination in the Town
Hall, Hensel , Thursday af-
ternoon
fternoon last were John W.
Armstrong of the Township of
Hullett. farmer and Thomas
Pryde, of the Town of Exeter,
merchant.
Returning Officer. George C.
.Ginn received nominations
between 1 and 2 p.m. and at the
latter hour. announced that the
candidates would be allowed to
speak. thus carrying on an old
tradition in Huron riding, -
although abandoned in most of
the province.
Dr. George S. Elliott, Clinton,
undertook to poll the people
present- to find out , how many
wanted to hear speeches. He
reported that a majority wanted
to hear the two candidates.
The Flight Cadets' Mess was
the scene of a very gay party in
honour of a well-known American
girt "Sadie Hawkins". Everyone
came hill 'billy style and the
costumes were appropriate to the
decorations which included
murals of the citizens of "Dog
Patch".
The music was supplied by
Aubrey Halmes and Orchestra.
and everyone seemed to enjoy
dancing especially as it was
Sadie Hawkins Day. the men had
the pleasant experience of being
asked to dance by the ladies.
The refreshments were in
keeping with the spirit of things.
Beef stew, beans and the rare
treat of roast suckling pig, was
provided for the appetites worked
up by the dancing.
The Flight Cadets played host
to a number of the staff officers
and their wives.
At the annual meeting of the
Londesboro Athletic Club held
Friday night. it was decided to
enter a hockey team this year in
the WQAA grouping.
The following officers were
elected for the coming year:
president, Glen Carter: vice
president. Ben Riley: secretary -
treasurer, Jack Webster:
manager. Gordon Radford;
coaches Jack Lee. Ben Riley:
goal judge, Bob Riley. -
50 YEARS AGO
November 184 Int
The Veterans and militia
company paraded to St. Paul's
Church on Sunday afternoon.
turning out in fair numbers.
although , the day was moss un-
favourable.
in Clinton. November 17, by
Rev. C. J. Moorebouse. Ivy Irene
Piewes, only daughter of Mrs.
what's Crich, to i lton 3. John-
ston. eldest silt o tie late John
Johnston. and Mrs. Johnston. all
of Tuckersmith,
0. E. Erratt and Walter
Washingtott, both of Auburn are
attending the Royal Winter Pair
at tmronto'this Week.
Miss Oraainr t, Sitwritttpdelit
of Clinton Public Hospital has
been in Toronto taking in-
struelion, in the operation of the
X-ray.
Many advertisers are giving
their space this week to the big
Hospital Drive to raise money to
pay for the X-ray machine, but
took out next week for a lot of real
snappy, Christmas -is -a -coming
advertising.
P. Ladd who accompanied his
wife as far as Chicago last week
on her way to the south, returned
again to town.
On Monday evening a 'number
of the friends and relatives of Mr.
and Mrs. Harvey Hudie were
entertained at their home in
honour of the tenth anniversary
of their marriage:
7v YEARS AGO
November 8, 1901
On Tuesday noon. when M.
Schwanz of Colborne Township
was coming out ofthe mow after
throwing down hay for the hor-
ses, he slipped on some loose hay
and would have fallen headlong
into the gangway, but when part
way down his elbow caught.
checking his tall but dislocating
his left shoulder. The doctor was
immediately sent for and set the
shoulder and he is as well'as can
be expected.
Charlie Middleton of Goderich
Township rejoices in the arrival
of a boy m his household, while
John Tebbutt is happy over the
advent of a gitri, so both are
satisfied.
John Wallis and family of the
take shore road, have moved to
their new home in Goderich this
week. They are old residents of
Goderich Township and are held
in the highest possible esteem. A
family that has been particularly
active in church work. their
removal is a distinct toss and the
Bethel appointments will greatly
miss them.
On Thursday morning last, a
train on the London. Huron and
Bruce killed an animal beipnging
to Joseph' McIntosh at the 7th•
concession of Hullett crossing
and the sam‘day a train struck
and injured a calf belonging to
John Reynolds, at the gravel road
crossing, the cattle guards seem
.crossing;
be very defective.
IN YEARS AGO
November 9, 1870
Muddy and unblacked boots
are not much of a novelty in town
at present. Indeed, the novelty
consists in finding a pair that are
riot muddy.
Our somewhat erratic bell-
ringer took another freak on
Friday morninglast.. when he
rang the bell at 5 a.m. instead of
at 6 a.m.. the result of which was
that a gal many person got up
an hour earlier than usual. To say
that he was Wetted is a mild way
Of putting it. z..
We are, informed that not long
since a certain Goderich town-
ship youth took himself .a wife,
and desiring to go on the usual
wedding tour, made application
to be furnished with a special
sleeping coach to go from here to
London. Our worthy station
agent, ever ready to please.
promised to obtain one. and our
young friend took his trip - in a
sleeping coach - of course (?)
It is reported (but we will not
vouch for the truth of it) that on
the night of Hallowe'en. some
mischievous youths placed
several dead cats at the door of
Use residence of one of our town
butchers, no doubt supposing that
as winter- was approaching the
carcasses would be useful.
Dear Editor:
I am writing to various •
newspapers across Canada in
the hopes of making contact
Company who
with. members of the Ship's -
sailed in thin
Canadian Navy frigate
H.M.C.S. "Cap -De -La -
Madeleine" during the years
1944-45.
It has been %over 30 years
'since we said our "so longs"
and went our separate ways
and just maybe there are
some who have taken up
residence in this area.
I hope to re-establish old
friendships by means of a
newsletter and if possible,
organize a reunion in 1977. 'NP
Those who served in her
during her first Commission
(1944-45) or those who have
knowledge of anyone who did
so, may contact me at the
following address :
Les. Williams
327 Ashland Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3L iL6
Dear Editor:
I am writing to you to ask a
favour. I am enclosing a
picture of my father Reg. J.
Wilson of Bayfield, taken on
the Bayfield pier in August,
with the big "fish" that he
caught.
The "fish" in the picture is
my fiance Bill Eden of
Hamilton, wearing his scuba
diving "wet suit". He had
been diving . off the pier for
fishing lures that have been
there for many years, and he
had me take this picture of
himself as the "fish" that
didn't get away from my
father.
My father is the former
"Officer in charge" of the
Canadian Imperial Bank of
Commerce branch in
Bayfield and retired in April
of this year. - -`
I hope that you will publish
this picture for me in your
paper, as my father is a nil
known fisherman who sees
to always have a tale<o tell
about the one that got away.
Yours truly,
Marsha Ori.
Ham ilton,Ontario
News,Record readers are
encouraged to express their
opinions in tetters to the
editor, however. such opinions
do not necessarily represent
the opinions of the NewSy".
Record.
Pseudonyms may be used
by letter writers. but no letter
witi be published unless it can
be verified by phone.